Friday Focus
February 10, 2023
In This Issue...
- A Message from Marcie
Front Circle Reminders for K-1 Families
Read-a-Thon Wrap-up
- 5Essentials Survey
- Other Important Info...
Don't miss the PTO Spotlight:
- Skate Night Registration OPEN
- 2022-2023 Yearbooks on Sale
- Updated Fun Lunch Registration Information
- LMC Volunteers Needed
- And much more...
A Message from Marcie 👩🏻💻
Thanks for a great week, South Park!
We are grateful to all of the families who came out to the South Park Book-Tacular on Wednesday evening. One of our school-wide goals is to engage our community more deeply, and we believe that events like the Book-Tacular help us do just that! A special thanks to Mrs. Jahng and all of the volunteers for making the night a success!
Our word of the week was tranquil. With social-emotional learning at the forefront of our minds, we used this word to talk about staying calm and centered especially when experiencing big feelings. If your child experiences big emotions, you can help them get into a tranquil state of mind by taking long, deep breaths alongside them. Children will "borrow your calm" as they breathe with you.
We wish everyone a wonderful weekend!
-Marcie
Front Circle Reminders for K-1 Families
Now that we are deep into winter, we notice many families of our kindergarten and 1st-grade students are utilizing the front circle to drop their children off each morning.
Please help by following the guidelines below:
- Pull all the way up to the Drop-Off Zone and let your child get out of your vehicle unassisted.
- All drivers should stay in their cars while students exit their vehicles.
- If your child needs help getting out of the car, please pull all the way up close to the front of our school to help them.
Read-a-thon Wrap-up
Great Job, Ms. Doherty's Class!
5Essentials Survey
Parents across Illinois again have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
· Effective Leaders
· Collaborative Teachers
· Involved Families
· Supportive Environments
· Ambitious Instruction
This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, it allows you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Your responses also help guide district improvement.
To take the Parent Survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Your identity and responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. The survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete.
In addition to parents, teachers and 4th through 8th grade students will also be responding to this survey. Per school board policy 7:15, you may opt your child out of any survey. If you would not like your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please contact your building principal no later than February 17.
Other Important Information ⚠️
- All visitors to South Park School MUST bring a valid driver's license or state ID card to the main office before entering into the building. Beginning this year, we will collect IDs during your visit and return it to you as you leave.
- If your child is going to be absent from school, you need to call or email us by 9:00 that morning. ** Call 847-945-5895, ext. 2103 and leave a message OR ** Email Nurse Nora Moskos.
- When parking in our Birchwood parking lot, please remember that our preschoolers are dropped off and picked up by the west end (closest to the school). Sometimes, their parents' cars can block a parked car from exiting for a few minutes. To avoid that, we suggest that you park closer to Birchwood Avenue.
- Please follow our morning procedures, and drop your children off at their regular grade level doors. If you choose to drive through the front circle at arrival, kindly stay in your car when you drop off to help us reduce morning congestion.
- Drop-off is between 8:35-8:45 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:45 a.m. will need to enter through the front door of the school, as all other doors will be locked.
- Dismissal for all Kindy and 1st-grade walkers and car riders will take place at their grade level door. Parents who park in the front circle should wait until 3:10 p.m. to do so.
- Dismissal is at 3:25 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. We dismiss at 2:25 on Wednesdays.
- Our practice is to let kids go outside if the temperature/wind chill is 10 degrees or warmer and it is not raining or snowing too hard.
Important Dates 📅
Monday, February 20
- Legal Holiday - No School
- Institute Day - No School
- Legal Holiday - No School
- Spring Break - No School
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, February 8- South Park Winter Book-tacular 6:00-7:30
- South Park Showcase 5:00-7:00
UPCOMING MUSIC CONCERTS:
- 4th Grade - Wednesday, February 15th @ 6:30
- 3rd Grade - Wednesday, March 8th @ 6:30
- 2nd Grade - Wednesday, February 15th @ 5:30
- 1st Grade - Wednesday, March 8th @ 5:30
- Kindergarten - Wednesday, April 26 @ 6:30